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re: 150 years ago this day...
Posted on 1/21/14 at 8:52 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Posted on 1/21/14 at 8:52 pm to BadLeroyDawg
Friday, 22 January 1864
In a major shake-up of military commands in the western areas of the Union, Major General William S. Rosecrans was appointed military governor of the Department of the Missouri. Missouri was something of a booby prize for Union generals being kicked upstairs out of combat command. This territory, although no longer under attack by official “Confederate” military forces, was riddled with militia units which had started out as “home guards” but in too many cases degenerated into bands of armed thugs. In addition, it had its own mini-civil war going on between different factions of Union supporters. The former officer, Major General John McAllister Schofield, fared no better than his numerous predecessors had at managing the mess. He would shortly be reassigned to the larger, but calmer, Department of the Ohio.
Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren wrote Assistant Secretary of the Navy Gustavus V. Fox regarding Charleston: "...do not suppose that I am idle because no battles are fought; on the contrary, the blockade by four monitors of such a place as this, and the determined intentions of the Rebels to operate with torpedoes, keep all eyes open."
Acting Ensign James J. Russell, commanding the USS Restless, accompanied by two sailors, captured the blockade running schooner William A. Kain in St. Andrew's Bay, Florida. Russell and his men had intended originally to reconnoiter only, but after discovering and capturing the Captain and several of the crew members of the blockade runner in the woods near the vessel, he determined to take her himself. Compelling his prisoners to row him out to Kain, Russell captured the remaining crew members and managed to sail Kain from Watson's Bayou out into the bay and under the protection of the Restless' guns.
Skirmishing took place at Armstrong's Ferry, a point six miles above Knoxville, Tennessee.
Captain George P. Edgar was ordered to the headquarters of Major General Benjamin "Spoons" Butler to investigate into the condition of the poor of Norfolk, Virginia, and to organize a system for their relief.
In a major shake-up of military commands in the western areas of the Union, Major General William S. Rosecrans was appointed military governor of the Department of the Missouri. Missouri was something of a booby prize for Union generals being kicked upstairs out of combat command. This territory, although no longer under attack by official “Confederate” military forces, was riddled with militia units which had started out as “home guards” but in too many cases degenerated into bands of armed thugs. In addition, it had its own mini-civil war going on between different factions of Union supporters. The former officer, Major General John McAllister Schofield, fared no better than his numerous predecessors had at managing the mess. He would shortly be reassigned to the larger, but calmer, Department of the Ohio.
Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren wrote Assistant Secretary of the Navy Gustavus V. Fox regarding Charleston: "...do not suppose that I am idle because no battles are fought; on the contrary, the blockade by four monitors of such a place as this, and the determined intentions of the Rebels to operate with torpedoes, keep all eyes open."
Acting Ensign James J. Russell, commanding the USS Restless, accompanied by two sailors, captured the blockade running schooner William A. Kain in St. Andrew's Bay, Florida. Russell and his men had intended originally to reconnoiter only, but after discovering and capturing the Captain and several of the crew members of the blockade runner in the woods near the vessel, he determined to take her himself. Compelling his prisoners to row him out to Kain, Russell captured the remaining crew members and managed to sail Kain from Watson's Bayou out into the bay and under the protection of the Restless' guns.
Skirmishing took place at Armstrong's Ferry, a point six miles above Knoxville, Tennessee.
Captain George P. Edgar was ordered to the headquarters of Major General Benjamin "Spoons" Butler to investigate into the condition of the poor of Norfolk, Virginia, and to organize a system for their relief.
1
Posted on 1/23/14 at 4:48 am to BadLeroyDawg
Saturday, 23 January 1864
This morning President Abraham Lincoln announced a plan which would allow slaveowners in Union territory to manumit their slaves, then re-hire them as free laborers to get plantations and farms back into production. He urged the military commanders of the various departments and territories to support the system and publicize it in their areas. This was just the latest in a succession of plans--what under the Clinton administration would be called “trial balloons”--which Lincoln proposed in an attempt to solve what he deemed to be the “Negro problem.” Lincoln, like nearly all whites including ardent abolitionists, found it inconceivable that blacks and whites could ever live together as equals. The buyout plan did not fly and was eventually, quietly abandoned.
Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren in a letter to President Lincoln wrote: "The city of Charleston is converted into a camp, and 20,000 or 25,000 of their best troops are kept in abeyance in the vicinity, to guard against all possible contingencies, so that 2,000 of our men in the fortifications of Morris and Folly Islands, assisted by a few ironclads, are rendering invaluable service...No man in the country will be more happy than myself to plant the flag of the Union where you most desire to see it." The Union 's ability to attack any part of the South's long coastline from the sea diverted important numbers of Confederate soldiers from the main armies.
The Nashville Union of this date contained the following:
Indications that the next battle will occur in the vicinity of Knoxville accumulate. We yesterday conversed with several well informed parties--two of them east Tennessee refugees--and all the witnesses concur in the statement that every train from north Virginia comes loaded with troops from Lee's army; and that these legions are immediately added to the force now under Longstreet. It is even believed by many that Lee himself, feeling the absolute necessity for the reoccupation of east Tennessee, will leave his old command--or what will remain of it--and take charge of the campaign in the region of Knoxville. He and Jefferson Davis argue this way: If Tennessee is not repossessed, Richmond must be abandoned; if in reinforcing Longstreet's army the capital is lost, it must be regained, provided the assault on Grant is successful; and there is a chance that Meade, like some of his predecessors, may remain inactive, with but a small force confronting him, and in that event Knoxville may be retaken and Richmond saved.
We only hope the Rebels will make an early attack on Foster's command. Nothing would be more gratifying to those who understand the disposition and strength of our forces. Offensive operations on the part of Longstrect would insure the defeat and dispersion of his army, though all Lee's forces were with him. Upon this subject we speak from a thorough knowledge of the situation; and dared we publish the facts, the public would feel as much assured on that point as we do.
General Hiram U. Grant left for the front night before last, and will be ready to personally superintend operations when commenced.
A small detachment of Federal cavalry belonging to the forces in pursuit of General Longstreet, made a dash into Cocke County, Tenn., capturing twenty-seven wagons loaded with bacon and flour, and eighty-five prisoners. They reported that Longstreet was stripping the country of provisions and compelling Union families to leave.
A very exciting debate occurred in the Confederate Congress upon the act to increase the efficiency of the Rebel army, by the employment of free Negroes and slaves in certain capacities.
Restrictions upon trade with Missouri and Kentucky, with some exceptions, were annulled and abrogated by the Secretary of the Treasury.
General Wirt Adams, in command of a party of Confederate cavalry, entered Gelsertown, near Natchez, Mississippi, and captured thirty-five prisoners, sixty wagons and teams, several lots of cotton going to Natchez, and about eighty Negroes.--Richmond Enquirer.
This morning President Abraham Lincoln announced a plan which would allow slaveowners in Union territory to manumit their slaves, then re-hire them as free laborers to get plantations and farms back into production. He urged the military commanders of the various departments and territories to support the system and publicize it in their areas. This was just the latest in a succession of plans--what under the Clinton administration would be called “trial balloons”--which Lincoln proposed in an attempt to solve what he deemed to be the “Negro problem.” Lincoln, like nearly all whites including ardent abolitionists, found it inconceivable that blacks and whites could ever live together as equals. The buyout plan did not fly and was eventually, quietly abandoned.
Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren in a letter to President Lincoln wrote: "The city of Charleston is converted into a camp, and 20,000 or 25,000 of their best troops are kept in abeyance in the vicinity, to guard against all possible contingencies, so that 2,000 of our men in the fortifications of Morris and Folly Islands, assisted by a few ironclads, are rendering invaluable service...No man in the country will be more happy than myself to plant the flag of the Union where you most desire to see it." The Union 's ability to attack any part of the South's long coastline from the sea diverted important numbers of Confederate soldiers from the main armies.
The Nashville Union of this date contained the following:
Indications that the next battle will occur in the vicinity of Knoxville accumulate. We yesterday conversed with several well informed parties--two of them east Tennessee refugees--and all the witnesses concur in the statement that every train from north Virginia comes loaded with troops from Lee's army; and that these legions are immediately added to the force now under Longstreet. It is even believed by many that Lee himself, feeling the absolute necessity for the reoccupation of east Tennessee, will leave his old command--or what will remain of it--and take charge of the campaign in the region of Knoxville. He and Jefferson Davis argue this way: If Tennessee is not repossessed, Richmond must be abandoned; if in reinforcing Longstreet's army the capital is lost, it must be regained, provided the assault on Grant is successful; and there is a chance that Meade, like some of his predecessors, may remain inactive, with but a small force confronting him, and in that event Knoxville may be retaken and Richmond saved.
We only hope the Rebels will make an early attack on Foster's command. Nothing would be more gratifying to those who understand the disposition and strength of our forces. Offensive operations on the part of Longstrect would insure the defeat and dispersion of his army, though all Lee's forces were with him. Upon this subject we speak from a thorough knowledge of the situation; and dared we publish the facts, the public would feel as much assured on that point as we do.
General Hiram U. Grant left for the front night before last, and will be ready to personally superintend operations when commenced.
A small detachment of Federal cavalry belonging to the forces in pursuit of General Longstreet, made a dash into Cocke County, Tenn., capturing twenty-seven wagons loaded with bacon and flour, and eighty-five prisoners. They reported that Longstreet was stripping the country of provisions and compelling Union families to leave.
A very exciting debate occurred in the Confederate Congress upon the act to increase the efficiency of the Rebel army, by the employment of free Negroes and slaves in certain capacities.
Restrictions upon trade with Missouri and Kentucky, with some exceptions, were annulled and abrogated by the Secretary of the Treasury.
General Wirt Adams, in command of a party of Confederate cavalry, entered Gelsertown, near Natchez, Mississippi, and captured thirty-five prisoners, sixty wagons and teams, several lots of cotton going to Natchez, and about eighty Negroes.--Richmond Enquirer.
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